A slightly tougher than normal Monday puzzle from Vulcan?
It may have been becasue I was watching a football match while I was doing this, so wasn’t concentrating fully, but this Vulcan felt a little tougher than the Monday puzzles he has set before. It was fun, though, and the image that WITHERED ON THE VINE gave me at 12:30am was enough to raise a smile.
Thanks, Vulacn.
| ACROSS | ||
| 1 | SPRITE |
Special ceremony for fairy (6)
|
| sp. (special) + RITE (“ceremony”) | ||
| 5 | CORNROWS |
Hairy arrangement faced by harvester? (8)
|
| Cryptic definition | ||
| 9 | ACT THREE |
Halfway through play perhaps catheter fails (3,5)
|
| *(catheter) [anag:fails] | ||
| 10 | VANITY |
Such a case of conceitedness? (6)
|
| Cryptic definition | ||
| 11 | PURR |
Express pleasure, turning up with classy car (4)
|
| [turning] <=UP with RR (Rolls Royce, so “classy car”) | ||
| 12 | HUMILIATED |
Mortified, having to sing wordlessly to one particular backing (10)
|
| HUM (“to sing wordlessly”) to I (one) + <=DETAIL (“particular”, backing) | ||
| 13 | STAMEN |
In tin, weak fertiliser (6)
|
| In Sn (chemical symbol for “tin”), TAME (“weak”) | ||
| 14 | DON’T KNOW |
Pass reply to pollster (4,4)
|
| Double definition, I think? | ||
| 16 | REHOUSED |
Wounded hero accustomed to being moved elsewhere (8)
|
| *(hero) [anag:wounded] + USED (“accustomed”) | ||
| 19 | UPPITY |
Arrogant but promoted – shame (6)
|
| UP (“promoted”) + PITY (“shame”) | ||
| 21 | NINETEENTH |
Drinking hole where one may buy round after round (10)
|
| Cryptic definition referring to the NINETEENTH hole, the bar at a golf course. | ||
| 23 | EWES |
Farm animals’ exploit recounted (4)
|
| Homophone/pun/aural wordplay [recounted] of USE (“exploit”) | ||
| 24 | SCREED |
Tedious speech, a statement of belief by saint (6)
|
| CREED (“statement of belief”) by S (saint) | ||
| 25 | BRINGS IN |
Yields items of jewellery to be thrown away? (6,2)
|
| RINGS (“items of jewellery”) in BIN (“to be thrown away”) | ||
| 26 | ASK FOR IT |
To seek computer assistance is to invite trouble (3,3,2)
|
| If you ASK FOR I.T. you may want “computer assistance”. | ||
| 27 | SODDEN |
Two types of earth, very wet (6)
|
| SOD (“earth”) + DEN (“earth”, as in an animal’s home) | ||
| DOWN | ||
| 2 | PICK UP THE PIECES |
Recover from shock of upsetting the board? (4,2,3,6)
|
| If you upset a chess board, you may have to PICK UP THE PIECES | ||
| 3 | INTERIM |
During school time, accepting one is temporary (7)
|
| IN (“during”) TERM (“school time”) accepting I (one) | ||
| 4 | EARPHONES |
US lawman perfects hearing aid (9)
|
| (Wyatt) EARP (“US lawman”) + HONES (“perfects”) | ||
| 5 | CREAMED |
Like some potatoes? Made huge fuss, denied starter (7)
|
| (s)CREAMED (“made huge fuss”, denied starter) | ||
| 6 | REVEL |
Delight as joystick is pulled up (5)
|
| <=LEVER (“joystick”) [is pulled up] | ||
| 7 | RANSACK |
Hurried with big bag for plunder (7)
|
| RAN (“hurried”) with SACK (“big bag”) | ||
| 8 | WITHER ON THE VINE |
Excitedly invite whore, then fail through inanition (6,2,3,4)
|
| *(invite whore then) [anag:excitedly] | ||
| 15 | NOUGHTIES |
Ten years at the start of century? It’s enough mess (9)
|
| *(its enough) [anag:mess] | ||
| 17 | ONESELF |
Me and my little helper? (7)
|
| ONE’S (“my”) + ELF (“little helper”) | ||
| 18 | DINGBAT |
Special symbol indicating ingredients of pudding batter (7)
|
| Hidden in [ingredients of] “pudDING BATter” | ||
| 20 | PLEDGED |
Paid across the counter as promised (7)
|
| Pd. (paid) across LEDGE (“counter”) | ||
| 22 | EIDER |
Monarch formerly eating fish and duck (5)
|
| ER (Elizabeth Regina or Edward Rex, so “monarch formerly”) eating IDE (“fish”) |
Nitpick: Surely 5a is a ddef not a cdef? On the other hand, 14a could be equally well described as either, and if it’s a ddef it’s not very double, so I’m inclined to call that one a cdef rather than a ddef.
…whereas I had 14 ac (DON’T KNOW) as a Rufus-style cryptic, not a dd; it’s how you say ‘pass’ to a pollster rather than to Magnusson/Snow/Anderson/Humphrys/Myrie. Thanks loonapick, and Vulcan for his consistently effortless class.
Sorry g#1, I only had 1 comment to read and I didn’t even finish it..yes, agree with you re 14ac 🙂
This was a PURR delight! This is what I like about cryptics – witty wordplay and a surprise. I liked all of it, but particularly – BRINGS IN, ASK FOR IT, NINETEENTH, HUMILIATED, UPPITY, ONESELF and ACT THREE. Thanks Vulcan and loonapick!
I would say 5a is not exactly a dd as the harvester would face CORN ROWS (2 words not one). 10a, however, I think, is – the first part referring to a vanity case
No football match to distract me, so I thought that this was typically fine Monday fare from the ever-excellent Vulcan. BRINGS IN was perhaps a bit tricky for this slot? But a great clue. Thanks Vulcan and loonapick.
Having found the answer for 23ac, it got me thinking about English pronunication and why “use” (noun) and “use”(verb) should be pronounced slightly differently. BRINGS IN might be a bit tricky, but I smile every time I see this “trick”.
Enjoyed this. Wondered briefly at 17d whether Vulcan had a helper at the bellows before thinking of ‘elf’.
I think 14a is a dd. If it’s a weakish one that might be because it’s a Monday. If you can get the answer from half the clue it’s not a cdef imo. The whole picture rearranges itself at once when it’s a cdef. Like looking at blobs and seeing something. My tuppence.
I found this tough to get going, and now it’s done, i can’t really see why.
SODDEN was nice, as was NINETEENTH.
Many thanks both.
I enjoyed WITHER ON THE VINE greatly, and also thought ONESELF was neat. ACT THREE was amusingly grim.
Agree with the parsing comments by Layman@4 (CORNROWS, VANITY) and Fuddleduddy@7 (DON’T KNOW).
Thanks both
Last time Vulcan was on Monday it was ‘slightly easier’ but I struggled with it. This one which is ‘trickier’ I seemed to sail through with a bit of resistance in the south east.
Liked NOUGHTIES, BRINGS IN and DONT KNOW.
Thanks Loonapick and Vulcan.
Who else had to look up the meaning of inanition?
simonc @11: me too
simonc@11 – me too. A lovely crossword that was chewy enough to get the brain cells working on a Monday morning.
Thanks to L & V.
Enjoyable challenge.
William@8, I liked NINETEENTH as it reminded me of my golfing father.
simonc@11 – me too, I had to look up the word ‘inanition’.
Add me to the list, simonc @11!
Mind you, after having done so, I decided that clue had a pleasing surface.
EARPHONES and PURR were also neat.
Thanks Vulcan and loonapick
LOI was CORNROWS, as I didn’t know the name of that way of doing hair.
Ticks from me for WITHERED ON THE VINE (which needed pencil and paper to work out with about half the crossers in) for the great surface, and for the very-neat-when-you-see-it BRINGS IN.
I’d agree with loonapick that maybe it is a bit tough in places for a Monday: but a good start to the day after a hot and restless night here in Oxford.
Thanks Vulcan and loonapick.
Thanks Vulcan and loonapick
I had to Google CORNROWS, but agree it’s a DD.
Surely SCREED refers to written rather than spoken boring text?
Lots to like. NOUGHTIES favourite.
Vulcan at his smoothest. I also did this whilst watching the football so didn’t give this the full concentration it deserved. Another who had to look up inanition. I’m playing golf this afternoon, so NINETEENTH is my pick of the bunch along with the lovely WITHER ON THE VINE.
Ta Vulcan & loonapick.
Comment #19
Me too re 8 down.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who found this a bit tougher than usual, although I did have one eye on the golf.
A pleasant solve. muffin @17: I wondered about SCREED, but Chambers says “A long passage, spoken or written”.
12a made me think of one of my pet hates, when people say they are “humbled” when they receive an award. They might as well say they are HUMILIATED because that basically means the same.
Thanks Vulcan and loonapick.
Really annoyed at having to reveal NINETEENTH, considering I was there yesterday!
A few Google cross-cheks, but I don’t mind that as I learn new things, such as WITHER ON THE VINE and the other definition of SCREED.
Thanks Vulcan.
I didn’t find this too bad for a Vulcan, who I often struggle with. In fact probably the fastest I’ve completed one of their grids. Loved 21a for its cheeky (IMO) construction, and also 4d. Thanks Vulcan, and loonapick.
…so what happened to 30038? 🤔
Calabar Bean @25
30038 was last Saturday’s Prize puzzle (by Brockwell). It won’t be blogged until the weekend.
[muffin @26: thank you for the explanation! I can’t believe I’ve never noticed the skips in the sequence before… Apologies for the off topic!]
I only got one Across answer on the first pass, so I thought it was quite tricky (or the hot weather has addled my brain). I liked the good anagrams for ACT THREE and NOUGHTIES, the HUMILIATED singer, and the RINGS in the BIN. CB @25, 30,038 is the last Prize crossword.
Thanks Vulcan and loonapick.
I was slow to get started but it all went easily after I got a few. Nice to see the ide fish again. We haven’t seen it for a bit. A smooth and polished set of clues.
Favourites BRINGS IN, EARPHONES and NOUGHTIES.
Thanks Vulcan and loonapick
I seem to be experiencing a dip in form. The last few clues keep taking an age. Maybe it’s just sleep deprivation. Hopefully that and not my brain declining.
I agree with G and Hadrian @ 1 and 2
simonc @11 me too.
This was silky as ever from Vulcan. I liked NINETEENTH, PICK UP THE PIECES, ONESELF and SODDEN.
SCREEN was LOI for no particular reason.
Thanks loonapick.
Loved it.
Thanks for the blog , some neat clues but the Guardian continuing its campaign to make every single crossword have exactly the same level of difficulty .
I also thought that a SCREED had to be written, but it seems not. Like William @8, I thought NINETEENTH and SODDEN were the pick of the bunch.
[ AlanC@18 , yesterday the Observer had a large front-page photograph you might like – Ground for sad lout (6,4) .
I would put a link but my Personal Electronic Notemaker is too advanced for the primitive internet you use . ]
Happy comfy Monday puzzle. Thanks both.
Thanks Vulcan and loonapick. STAMEN was very nice. Yes, had to look up inanition.
Mr. P (in a cranky mood?) suggested DROP DEAD as the answer to 14A, but that seemed too rude, even as we feel the growing pressures of pre-midterm season in the US. Vulcan once again showing a talent for brief and amusing clues.
I’m not much into numbers or Maths, but I thought NOUGHTIES, NINETEENTH and ACT THREE all excellent. Bravo for today’s offering, Vulcan…
A poor night’s sleep and a vigorous hangover means I can’t judge the relative difficulty. Top right corner took me a while. Favourites EARPHONES and BRINGS IN.
Enjoyable puzzle, with some challenges. My last three in the SE took a second session. Several times I was pleasantly fooled by definitions that appeared to be wordplay, like 5a CORNROWS (“Hairy arrangement”), 19a UPPITY (“but promoted”), 21a NINETEENTH (“round after round”), 5d CREAMED (“Made huge fuss”), 15d NOUGHTIES (“Ten years at the start of the century”), 20d PLEDGED (“counter”)
Other favourites 25a BRINGS IN (clever wordplay: “to be thrown away” = put in BIN), 2d PICK UP THE PIECES (funny), 18d DINGBAT (well hidden)
pianola@37 my first thought for 14a was DROP KICK (“Pass”)
Thanks both
Roz@32: we’re all different. For me there was quite a gulf in difficulty between Yank on Friday and Vulcan today. As you probably noticed, ROFLMAO prompted a letter in the paper today.
Thanks both and an amusing entertainment.
I had to look up INANITION, CORNROWS and DINGBAT (but then I’m a bit mental).
Nobody seems worried about EWES and ‘use’ being offered as homophones. I am reminded of the late great Bo Peep’s greatest hit as proffered by the (old) Seekers.
Hector@41 yes the letter writer was not impressed . Yes still a range but very narrow , on a crude scale I would say 4-6 nearly all the time . Vlad gets easier with every new puzzle , when do we ever get very friendly puzzles , 1-3 ? Newer solvers need two of these every week to build confidence . I would say we have not had a seriously hard puzzle since Boxing day .
If you ever do the FT note the difference in both directions .
I’m getting better at these, managed to finish this one over the course of an hour. Got stuck on the harvester because of COMBINE, which has COMB in it. ONESELF was my favourite. Thanks Vulcan!
Can any one advise if the guardian cryptics are designed to increase in difficulty throughout the week? This was my first completed puzzle but judging by the comments Monday is generally a gentle introduction. If so I might have to stick to start of the week
Lovely puzzle. Took me about 45 minutes, I guess. Got a bit stuck on STAMEN!
Thank you loonapick and Vulcan.
Roz @32, my feeling is that today’s puzzle was very friendly, if I can do it in under an hour! Whereas Friday’s… just no. I think I need another decade of daily crypticity to think that might be a 6…
Nic@46: you make a good point. If I say that for me this puzzle was low in the 1-3 range it will sound like boasting; but the truth is that I have been doing Guardian cryptics for more than 50 years so I probably ought to find this Vulcan puzzle fairly straightforward.
Roz@43: do you think Vlad is setting easier puzzles – perhaps because the editor demands them – or is it that the more you do the easier you find them? Once upon a time I would shudder when I saw a puzzle by, say, Gemini or Fidelio but they came to seem less formidable as the years went by.
Hector@47 I do have the impression that Vlad’s puzzles have been more approachable of late
Found this one to be a quick solve, but like several others here, I didn’t know what inanition means. Every day’s a school day, as they say. Liked BRINGS IN in particular.
Hector@47 , it is all opinion of course but I would say that Fidelio and Gemini much harder than what we get now even when I was used to them , and as for Bunthorne … Also Rufus , Janus , Quantum , Logodaedalus and others far more friendly than this and usually two per week .
Nic@46 well done and keep going , you will find with practice that the gap between this and the Yank is actually quite small . If you really want to scare yourself , look at the IO last week in the FT . This is not a bad thing , for several years I was terrified of Bunthorne but I always vowed to get the b… one day .
DJ@45 , well done . The getting harder all week has always been a myth , try a few others .
Mig@48 the lack of complaints on here tells us what the recent Vlad puzzles have been like .
I can’t reply further , very busy day .
Didn’t start this until quite late yesterday and my brain was definitely suffering from the heat, as this seemed too hard. When I took a break, with less than half done, I made a total mess of the Killer Sudoku, so just gave up and read a book. In the comparative cool this morning I finished the crossword in about 10 minutes.
I knew what inanition means, and I was familiar with the phrase at 8d, but even with helpful enumeration and four crossers yesterday I had no idea. The W from CORNROWS enabled me to finally see it. (Nick Lowe wrote a song with this title.)
Thanks to Vulcan and Loonapick.
NHO of IDE or, unusually for me, a word found in the clue – inanition.
Enjoyed this and thought the clueing was fair, though agree tough for a Monday. COD form me was EARPHONES, a real “aha” when I got that one.
Thanks to Vulcan and loonapick for an exceptionally clear blog.
A very late note (we did the puzzle today) but a small joy to be had in 8d being an anagram of Thrive on The Wine too. Not knowing the meaning inanition we thought it a plausible shout. Thanks Loonapick and Vulcan.
Joleroi@53: That’s a very interesting spot and raised a chuckle.
I thought that was hard work for a Monday. One of these days I hope they will feel easier.
NHO IDE, SCREED with that meaning, nor inanition. Nor Wyatt EARP, nor in fact lawman. That’s quite a hit of obscurities for a Monday.